The Muppets

Long before he found fame with the Muppets, Jim Henson made a name for himself in the world of advertising with Wilkins and Wontkins, producing a pretty violent series of commercials who showed what happens when you drink too much coffee, or not enough.

When we talk about puppets in television and film, Jim Henson is the first name that comes to mind. Henson’s legacy endures at his Creature Shop, where fabricators, engineers, and animators continue crafting the art of puppet-making and performance. Tested were privileged to be able to visit Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and learn how modern technologies combine with classic techniques to bring characters to life.

Joey is supposed to sing the alphabet with Kermit, and she sort of does. But she keeps going off script and it’s hilarious, and not just to her. Kermit plays along wonderfully and lets her keep having the joke continue.

Kermit the Frog participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Kermit accepted the challenge from WWE CEO Vince McMahon and named three Muppets Most Wanted co-stars—Tina Fey, Ty Burrell, and Ricky Gervais—to take the challenge.

Two Frogs! One Pig! Intrigue! Music! Mayhem! Muppets! There’s plenty of fun for the whole family as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Animal and the entire Muppets gang head out on a world tour. But mayhem follows the Muppets, as they find themselves unwittingly entangled in an international crime caper. Now Kermit is behind bars at the mercy of prison warden Nadya (Tina Fey), and the World’s Number One Criminal, Constantine—a dead ringer for Kermit—has taken his place. As Constantine and his dastardly sidekick Dominic (Ricky Gervais) plot the robbery of the century, they are pursued by Sam Eagle and Interpol agent Jean Pierre Napoleon (Ty Burrell). Will Constantine get away with his nefarious scheme? Will Kermit escape in time to save the day? Packed with dozens of guest cameos, new songs and the most extended, most exclusive scenes not in theaters, Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted is the most hilarious, most wanted Muppet movie ever.

Gavin Aung Than, the brilliant cartoonist behind Zen Pencils has taken a road in life that is both superb and inspirational. He takes the heartfelt speeches and writings of famous people and turns them into a comic format.

Recently, Than has been reading a biography of Jim Henson (1936-1990), the man who created the Muppets. Than writes:

Henson realised he was in control of his life at an early age. There was only one industry Henson wanted a career in and that was television. Puppeteering was just a means to an end for Henson, a way to get his foot in the television door. It was only after a trip to Europe where Henson discovered the rich history of puppeteering did he recognise the potential of the artform and decide to dedicate his life to it.

The Bug Band appeared in episode 407 of The Muppet Show, performing a rendition of The Beatles’ song, “She Loves You”. Backstage, Kermit says they should come up with a name, and they suggest “The Grateful Dead” and “The Who”.